Signs of spring

Yesterday was the first day of spring. The sun was out today and the birds were singing. My mom heard the first Red-winged Blackbird calling from the swamp. I heard a flock of Sandhill Cranes flying by, out of sight. I’m also fairly certain I heard a Brown Creeper, though I wasn’t able to find him, either.

I walked about my parents’ property looking for other signs that it was indeed upon us. For instance, the ice on the little pond, above, was beginning to melt. I checked it for frogs, eggs, or little aquatic invertebrates, but saw no signs of life yet.

The icicles on the eaves of the house are also melting.

The buds are coming out on the maple trees in the front yard.

I spotted some green grass! Admittedly, this was in a footprint along one of the regularly-traveled paths through the snow, but still. Grass.

Thanks everyone. Mary and Beth, the icicle’s my favourite from that post, too. It was a bit of a challenge, I ended up fiddling with shutter speed and aperture and running off a few dozen shots on rapid-mode before I got one that captured the drip perfectly without being too dark or washed out.

Seabrooke Leckie
I am a biologist and naturalist, writer and photographer, but most of all a lover of nature. I live on 130 rural acres in eastern Ontario, surrounded by woods and meadows that are my inspiration. I try to hike our land nearly every day, and I always carry my camera with me. I enjoy sharing my discoveries here.
More about me.